Crucial days ahead for both India and China

New Delhi: Doklam stand off escalation into a shooting war is not going to give significant gains for China. Further, with a wider conflict, there is always a possibility of heavy casualties tilting the odds in favour of diplomacy prevailing despite so much being said by China. The analysis among top bureaucrats is that any kind of attacking intent at Doklam is not going to translate into a tangible territorial advantage for China, with armed war there is not going&hellip;

New Delhi: Doklam stand off escalation into a shooting war is not going to give significant gains for China. Further, with a wider conflict, there is always a possibility of heavy casualties tilting the odds in favour of diplomacy prevailing despite so much being said by China.

The analysis among top bureaucrats is that any kind of attacking intent at Doklam is not going to translate into a tangible territorial advantage for China, with armed war there is not going to be a winner or a loser.

If India does not suffer the humiliation as was the case in 1962, China’s aura is going to be diminished.

The chances of a dispute spreading to other areas along the India-China border is worrisome for both countries and neither has a clear upper hand.

Talking about the Doklam, geography gives India the higher ground alongside distinct military benefit. On the other side of the coin, India lags behind China in border infrastructure.

According to the sources, swift action by India in stopping Chinese road building at Doklam has proved quite important in making sure that Indian forces retain their leverage.

Narendra Modi and Xi are all set to meet at the Brics summit in China on September 3-4 and this will be a great chance to explore means when it comes to resolving the military stand-off.

There is no denying the fact that the stalemate near the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan trijunction has lent itself to varying analysis with number of experts warning that China may act on its threats.

But on the other side of the spectrum, the emerging opinion seems to be that the costs of a war in economic and strategic terms will be prohibitive and it is going to play a pivotal part in checking China’s war-like stance.

Whatever happens, one thing is for sure, coming days are very crucial for both countries.